TO HUSH TROOPS TO FRONT. Agreement Made at Recent Inter- Allied Ctonfecence in Paris American Troops At Once Considered Vital. It is Believed With Heavy Rein forcementsDrawn From The Eastern to Western Front The Germans Are Preparing For Big Offensive. Snow Aids Italians. The Associated Press War Sumary for Wednesday publish ed in yesterday's daily papers state that entire unity hence forth is to be the watchword of the United States and her Al lies in the prosecution of the war. American troops are to be rushed to the fighting fronts in large numbers as quickly as possible, and there is to be per fect co-ordination in naval, military, financial, food, war in dustries and diplomatic matters. The agreement between the Allies for unified action was reached at the recent inter-allied conference in Paris, which was attended' by an American mis sion headed by Col. E. M. House find arrangements already have been made for the United States to carry out its part of the com pact. In order that American troops may be dispatched in a constant stream to Europe, the Allied nations are so to arrange their merchant shipping that the necessary transports will be ' available for the huge task. That quick work in getting the Amer ican army to the front is most vital is indicated by a statement of Major General Maurice, chief director of military operations at the British war office. Gen eral Maurice says it is probable that with their heavy reinforce ments, drawn from the eastern to the western front the Ger mans shortly will make a strong offensive against the British and French armies and that the enemy may be expected to make some gains. Optimism was expressed, however, that the enemy would not be able to inflict the same de gree of damage upon the Allies as he has sustained at the bands of the British during the last year. Apparent proof that the Ger mans are preparing for a big offensive is the almost continu ous sentiment of various sectors along the British and French fronts. Aside from these bom bardments there has been little activity except by small raiding parties. A heavy snow is falling and another cold wave has set in on the French front from ?t. Quentin to the Vosges moun tains. Snow and cold weather also are giving the Italians a chance further to strengthen their nor thern line against the Austro Germans. Aside from recipro cal artillery duels little fighting of moment is in progress. In an endeavor to offset their loss of ground resulting from having been driven back across the , lower Piave river the enemy has tried to effect a landing on the west bank of the stream a short distance from the mouth of the Piave. His boats, however, were caught under the fire of the Italian guns, and the project had to be given up. Austro-German airmen con tinue to bomb towns on the Venitian plains. Treviso and Bassano have again been at tacked, and bombs also were dropped on Mestre. Little dam age was done by the bombs. Three of the enemy aircraft were shot down in aerial battles or by anti-aircraft guns. Reports from Russia indicate that the negotiations for peace between the Bolsheviki govern ment and the Teutonic Allies have reached a virtual impasse owing to the unreasonable de mands of the Teutons. Particu larly distasteful to the Russians is the attitude of the Central Powers with regard to holding Poland, Lithuanio and Courland and their determination to re tain garrisons at Riga, Libau and other Baltic ports. Twenty-one British merchant men were sunk by mines or sub marines last week, as compared with twelve the previous week. RUSH COAL TO NEW ENGLAND. Four Government Departments De cide Upon Quick Measures for Relief. Two Hundred Cars of Coal Diverted From Hampton Roads to North Carolina Points ? 1,500 Cars on the Pennsylvania Released. Quick measures to relieve the New England coal shortage have taken up jointly by the fuel administration, the navy department, the shipping board and the new director-general of rail roads. The shipping board has ordered nine steamers to Hampton Roads for coal cargoes fcr New England and directed them to remain in the service until the shortage is over. The navy department put at the dis posal of the fuel administration a part of a large store of stenm coal at the Boston navy yard and arranged to employ idle naval tags and colliers in transportation of coal from Hamp ton Roads to New England ports. It also instructed navy yard comman ders to distribute to the poor scraps of timber at the yards. The director of railroads ht.s re leased 1,500 cars of coal standing on Pennsylvania railroad tracks between New York and Harrisburg, Pa., and directed they go immediately to New England cities. In addition to the nine ships turned over to the New England coal carry ing trade the shipping board will try to supply other vessels, and will uti lize all tugs and parges that may be spared from other work. Authority has been granted by the director-general to railroads to dis regard priority orders when it is nec essary to relieve car congestion is expected to expedite the movement of coal. Priority orders, officials say have hampered rather than hurried coal movement. Under these orders railroad traffic men use their judg ment as to what to move first, always bearing in mind that coal and food must move rapidly. The fuel administration's plan for zone distribution of coal submitted by Dr. Garfield could not easily be work ed out with the railroads still in private hands, but under government operation fuel administration officials think it can be put into practicc suc cessfully. Carried to the point to which officials hope to see it operat ing, it will help to eliminate cross hauling of coal and make for a more equitable distribution than possible now. Every producing district would be required to serve a particular ter-. ritory and no contracts for the sale of coal would be approved if a pro ducer sought to sell outside the terri tory allotted him. Two hundred cars tf coal have been already sent to North Carolina. Tilley-Stephenson. Varina, N. C., Jan. 2. ? Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Stephenson announce the mar riage of their daughter Barbara Inez to Mr. Alvin Alfred Tilley, of Fuquay Springs, North Carolina, Jan. second, nineteen hundred and eighteen. Six deaths one that o f a nurse, among members of the American ex peditionary force were reported Mon day by General Pershing. The nurse was May Berry, of Frankton, Ind. Among the soldiers reported dead was Private Garland E. McCoy, of Ports mouth, Va., a member of the aero squadron. He was a victim of pneu monia. NORFOLK HAS BIG FIRE. Loss of Property Estimated at Two Million Dollars. Almost Two Whole Blocks Burned. Fire Supposed to Be of Incen diary Origin. Three Men Killed. Norfolk had a disastrous fire Tuesday. The account given out by the Associated Press to Wednesday's daily papers, in part follows: Norfolk, Va., Jan. 1. ? Nearly two blocks in the heart of Nor folk's business district, includ ing the Monticello Hotel, were destroyed, three men were killed and a score more injured in a iseries of explosions and fires to day which both police and naval authorities believe were incen diary. The fire had been checked tonight, but still was burning fiercely in the ruins. The loss is roughly estimated at more than $2,000,000. Three distinct explosions in as | many buildings, one after the i fire once virtually had been brought under control, led to the I general belief that enemy agents jwere at work. Mayor Mayo practically placed the city under martial law by turning the situ ation over to naval officers, and some 2,500 marines and blue jackets from nearby naval sta tions assisted the police and home guards in maintaining order and preventing vandalism. Naval patrols rounded up sus picious persons throughout the afternoon, while five men were arrested as suspects. Two of these Hugo Schmidt and H. K. Lassing, said to be Germans, were turned over to the Depart ment of Justice agents. To night there were reports that two Germans had been shot by sailors during the day, but neither the police nor naval au thorities would confirm this. The fire started before dawn in the old Granby Theater on Granby street and gained rapid headway as the firemen were handicapped by frozen fire hy drants, low water pressure and near zero temperature. It quick ly spread to the Monticello Hotel and other nearby buildings in the block. It was brought under control late in the day, but broke out anew early tonight, leaping across Granby street and leveled half of the block there before being checked. Falling floors and walls took toll of firemen and naval guards. One fireman, Charles McCoy, was killed and seven others hurt in the collapse of an upper floor of the Monticello Hotel in the day. Tonight two firemen and several sailors were caught in a falling wall of the Lenox build ing. Three were brought out badly hurt, but two others were left in the debris. Firemen of Norfolk, Ports mouth and Suffock, with organ ized sailor fire brigades, fought heroically amid ice and blinding smoke, and bluejackets led the rescue work when the fighters were trapped. Several of the firemen caught in the hotel were brought out alive through the daring of a score of the Jack Tars. A snowstorm raged through South Carolina Monday morning, according to reports to the local weather bureau at Columhia, accentuating the already acute conditions caused by the fuel shortage. The lowest temperature reported at Columbia Monday mom was 12 degrees above zero, or four degrees higher than the reading Sun day morning, which was the coldest December day there in 31 years. AT TIIE CAPITAL OF BANNER. Newsy Batch of Items from Benson. Death of Mr. J. Ransom Beasley. Cold Spell Played Havoc With Water Pipes in School Building and in the Homes of the Town. People Who Come and Go. Maybe Your Name is in the List. Benson, January 3. ? Presiding Eld der J. E. Underwood, of the Raleigh District, will be here at the Benson Circuit Saturday, the 5th day of Jan uary. The Conference will be held Saturday afternoon. Mr. Bosie Barbour, of Elevation Township, has accepted a position with Mr. Preston Johnson. Mrs. Wilie Weeks, of Rocky Mount, visited relatives here for several days recently, returning to her home yes terday. Miss Gertrude Stallings, of Selma, was here for several days this week, the guest of Mrs. J. H. Rose. Mrs. A. S. Thomas, who has been quite sick in the Sanford Hospital for some time, is somewhat improved at this time. Mr. Felton Stone returned the first of the week from Emporia, Va., where he spent the holidays with relatives. Mr. J. Ransom Beasley died at his home a few miles below here yester day after a short illness with pneu monia. His remains were laid away in the family burying ground today. He leaves a wife and several children. Miss Neta Penny returned to her home the first of the week after spending a few days here with friends. Mr. L. A. Hodges returned the first of the week to Camp Sevier, S. C., after a short visit to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hodges. Miss Kate Hamilton returned to her home at Jonesboro the first of the week. She formerly held a position with the Farmers Commercial Brnk of this city. Mr. Wade Brady, after spending the holidays here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bras. Brady, returned this week to Winterville where he is em ployed. Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Lassiter, of j Four Oaks, are here for a few days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George j Moore. Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Crowder and children returned to Buies Creek the first of the week, after visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Williams. Mr. William Canaday, of Richmond, returned home yesterday after spend ing a few days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 0. A. Barbour. Mr. Jeffrey, who is with the Pea cock Drug Company, returned yester day from a few days visit to rela tives at Elm City. Mr. Claud Canaday returned Tues day from a business trip to Richmond, Va. Mrs. Brosia returned the first of the week from Camp Sevier where she spent a few days with her hus band, Mr. Brosia Porter. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hobbs and chil dren left last week for Athens, Tenn., on a visit to the home of Mr. Richard Creech. They will be away for two weeks or more on tht> trip. Messrs. Henry P. Johnson, Claud Bryant and Haywood Dixon, of S-\mp. son County, are in Benson today on | business matters. Mr. Charlis Max McLamb left the first of the week for Camp Sevier, S. C., after spending a few days here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. W. McLamb. Mr. J. T. Coats, of Harnett County, returned Sunday from Nash County where he has been attending a Union Meeting. He spcrvt Sunday night here | with friends. Misses Livia Williams and Myrtle Wood returned the first of the week from Roseboro where they visited relatives for several days the past week. Mr. W. D. Boon was a business | visitor to Lillington Tuesday. Quite a bit of damage was done in and around Benson by the recent very cold weather. At the School Building the engine freezed up and several of the pipes thereto bursted doing quite ' considrable damage. Many pipes in i pnvate homes were frozen up and ] bursted also. 1 The prize of a $50 Liberty Bond, offered by J. B. Ivey, of Charlotte, State merchants' representative un der the food administration, for the brst article on food conservation, was awarded to Miss Ethel Abernathy, of Charlotte. Several score papers were offered. OLD NORTH STATE NEWS. Live Items of Interest Clipped And Culled From North Carolina Newspapers. The taxidermist at Morganton says large same seems to be plentiful this year, and western Carolina sports men are getting their share. He is now mounting a large buck head for J. M. Bernhardt, of Lenoir, and one for Ernest Ervin, of Morganton. A saving each month of more than 6,500 pounds of white flour, approxi mately the same quantity of beef and pork, and more than 2,600 pounds of sugar is reported by 56 hotels and cafes in North Carolina which an swered a recent questionnaire sent out by the Food Administration in terms of pounds. Others repoi't a saving in these products of from 10 to 50 per cent of the normal consumption. Saturday night at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Gantt at Newton, their little nine-months daughter was burned to death. The mother had only been out of the room a few min utes when she returned to find her child laying on a bed of coals, it hav ing crawlcd to the fire f the previous snow of two weeks igo which had melted but very lit tle. One of the oldest residents says that only once in the last 50 years has the temperature gone down to 10 below, so that Sunday night was probably the coldest ever known in Morganton. People have been cross ing the smaller streams with teams and loaded wagons on the ice for several days. NEWS AROUND BENTON VILLE. Soldier Hoys Home for Holidays. Hooks Close Saturday for Hond Election. Two Couples Wed During the Holiday Season. Many Visitors Come and Go. Bentonville Jan. 2.? Christmas was the quietest ever witnessed in this section. Rev. T. W. Siler preached a very able sermon at Ebenezer church on Sunday night^after which the people gave hime a pounding. Mr. E. J. Williams, of Clayton, spent the holidays in this section with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Wil liams. M iss Maude Westbrook, who is at tending school at Greenville, N. C., spent the holidays at Ijome with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. T. West brook. Messrs. W. B. Beasley, H. V. Rose and J. M. Massey, all of Camp Jack son, S. C., and Mr. Kirk Cole, of the United States Navy, spent part of the holidays at home. The boys are look ing fine, and say they are faring good. Th registration books for the road bond election which will be held oh Tuesday, January 15, will close on Saturday, January 5. All who wish to take part in this election and have not yet registered should get busy and get theis names on the books. Mrs. H. Cole and daughters, Misses Elsie and Margaret, returned to their home in Wilmington last Monday after spending a few days in this section. Prof. N. M. Eason, of Smithfield, spent the holidays in this section with the St. John's Choir in preparing for the Vocal. On account of bad weather the Vocal was a failure. On Christmas Day at 2:30 P. M., Mr. Edgar Barfield drove over in Wayne and was united in marriage to Miss Roxie Porter. Rev. T. W. Siler, Newton Grove, performed the cere mony. Last Wednesday night Mr. Pete Graham and Miss Lettie Thornton drove over to Squire C. Williams' and were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. On Christmas morning about 10:30 A. M., while our people were enjoying the Christmas goodies our hearts were saddened by the sad news of the accidental death of one of our best citizens, Mr. Alonzo Hood. Mr. Hood was laid to rest on Wednesday in the family burying ground under the auspices of the Mill Creek Camp 4